How to Keep an Outdoor Cat

An outdoor cat can lead a fun, enriching life. However, keeping an outdoor cat also requires some special considerations regarding safety, health, and care. This comprehensive guide provides tips and advice for caring for an outdoor feline.

Is It Safe for Cats to Be Outside?

Allowing your cat outside comes with some risks. However, there are steps you can take to maximize safety:

Only let your cat out during the daytime. Keep them inside at night when coyotes, owls, and other nocturnal predators are most active.
Make sure your cat always wears a breakaway collar with ID tags listing your name, address, and phone number. Consider microchipping as well.
Get your cat vaccinated against common feline viruses and diseases like rabies, feline leukemia, etc. Ask your vet what inoculations they recommend.
Spay or neuter your cat. Intact male cats frequently get into fights over mates, while unspayed females attract intact males.
Check local lost pet databases regularly. If your cat goes missing, report it immediately.
Accompany young, elderly, or ill cats outside until they learn the terrain and potential hazards. Only let healthy adult cats out alone.
Start by letting your cat out for short periods, then increase the time outside gradually as you evaluate any potential risks in your area.
Provide screening on windows and secure fencing if possible to protect your cat from cars, loose dogs, etc.

With proper precautions, most cats can enjoy their outdoor time safely. Monitor your individual cat’s tolerance and reactions.

Choosing the Right Cat for an Outdoor Lifestyle

Certain types of cats tend to adapt better to outdoor access than others:

Barn cats specifically bred to live and work on farms have strong hunting instincts and are less likely to wander far.
Large cat breeds like Maine Coons and Norwegian Forest Cats have water-resistant coats and can tolerate cold weather.
Energetic cats enjoy climbing, exploring, and interacting with nature. Just be sure to provide enrichment indoors as well.
Independent cats are less likely to stick close to home or need constant supervision. Monitor them to ensure they are returning daily.
Confident, street smart cats can assess risks and handle novel situations. Shy and timid cats need more protection.
Healthy, fixed cats free from chronic illnesses and intact reproductive organs make the best outdoor companions.

Consider your individual cat’s personality and needs when deciding if they are suited for outdoor access. An indoor cat from a young age may have more difficulty adjusting.

Preparing Your Home for an Outdoor Cat

Allowing your cat outside requires cat-proofing your home as well:

Install screens on all windows so your cat can look out but not escape through an open window unexpectedly.
Check that doors shut securely and cannot be accidentally left open. Install spring-loaded mechanisms if needed.
Set up shelving, cat towers, and climbing spaces inside so your cat can look outside when forced to stay in.
Plant cat grass or catnip in pots for your cat to munch when they come back inside.
Keep a towel by the door to wipe dirty paws before your cat tracks in debris.
Set up litter boxes in easy-to-access spots so your cat always has a place to go.
Feed your cat inside and keep their water bowl freshly filled at all times.

With a few adjustments, you can make your indoor space more harmonious for an outdoor cat. This ensures they have a safe, comfortable place to relax between adventures.

Providing Outdoor Enrichment

An outdoor cat still needs entertainment and mental stimulation. Be sure to provide:

Cat Enclosures

Install an enclosed “catio” or cat fencing system that lets your cat go outside while protecting them from cars, predators, and other unrestrained animals roaming your area. Include:

Climbing platforms
Scratching posts
Hiding boxes or tunnels
Bird feeders and plantings to attract wildlife
Shady, sunny, and covered rest areas

Cat enclosures allow your cat to experience nature from the safety of a controlled environment.

Climbing Trees and Perches

Place shelving, cat trees, and climbing posts around your yard so your cat can get up high and survey their domain. Be sure options are stable and either firmly staked into the ground or have wide, heavy bases.

Outdoor Cat Play Equipment

Provide toys that are safe for outdoor use:

Ping pong balls
Plastic practice golf balls with holes to add catnip
Toy mice or balls that can roll around in the grass
Dangling sticks with ribbons, feathers, or other attachments
Sturdy ground stakes with hanging string or feathers

Check that all parts are securely fastened and made of non-toxic materials. Bring lightweight toys inside when not supervised.

Outdoor Hideaways and Cat Houses

Give your cat places to nap or get out of the weather:

An old doghouse, sturdy plastic carrier, or wood crate lined with blankets or straw
Sheltered porches, decks, or under stairs
Plastic storage totes laid on their side and lined with soft bedding
Cardboard boxes reinforced with tape and weighted or staked down

Provide extra straw or fleece in cold months. Ensure hideaways stay dry inside.

Outdoor Litter Areas

Designate a dirt patch, sandbox, or litter box accessible from the yard for potty breaks. Scoop solid waste daily. Replace sand frequently to keep tidy.

Outdoor Water and Feeding Stations

Invest in automatic, recirculating water fountains to provide fresh water. Use tip-proof, weighted bowls for dry food. Keep both on raised platforms to thwart ants.

With enrichments suited to the outdoors, your cat can spend their outside time entertained. Rotate toys to keep things interesting.

Maintaining Good Health for Outdoor Cats

An outdoor lifestyle calls for extra health precautions:

Parasite Control

Common internal cat parasites like roundworms, hookworms, and tapeworms are spread through contact with infected feces, soil, or prey animals. Talk to your vet about deworming medications to use year-round or seasonally.

Also apply monthly topical flea, tick, and heartworm preventatives. Check your cat’s coat thoroughly for hitchhikers after time outside. Look especially around the head, neck, and ears. Remove any found immediately with tweezers grasp close to skin.

Vaccinations

Core inoculations like rabies, feline distemper, and feline leukemia are vital for outdoor cats. Discuss additional vaccine options with your vet, like feline infectious peritonitis (FIP), Chlamydophila felis, and Bordetella.

First Aid Supplies

Stock a cat first aid kit to treat minor injuries at home. Include:

Sterile gauze
Self-clinging bandages
Antibiotic ointment
Styptic powder to stop bleeding
Antiseptic wipes
Saline eye solution
Tweezers and scissors
Digital thermometer
Towels or blanket

Consult your vet immediately about any major injuries like deep puncture wounds or broken bones. Better to be safe.

With proactive care, your outdoor cat can stay healthy and avoid common parasites and infectious diseases.

Feeding an Outdoor Cat

Outdoor cats need nutrient-dense diets to fuel their active lifestyles.

Routine Mealtimes

Feed at the same times daily. Leave dry food out only if your cat grazes appropriately. Forgo free feeding to monitor appetite and eating habits.

Cats burn extra calories roaming and hunting outside. Adjust portions to maintain ideal body condition. Increase meal sizes or add snacks if your cat loses weight.

Hydration

Outdoor activity and panting cause fluid losses. Make sure ample clean, fresh water is always available. Consider a circulating water fountain. Ice cubes or low-sodium broths also boost intake.

High-Quality Proteins

Choose high-protein, low-carb natural cat foods. Meat or seafood should be the first ingredient. This nourishes muscles and promotes satiety.

Wet food provides extra fluids. Supplement with freeze-dried raw, boiled chicken, or fish for variety.

Digestive Support

Probiotic supplements aid digestion and immunity. Fortify diet with prebiotic fibers like chicory root or pumpkin. These nourish gut microbiome.

Treats

Bring high-value treats when calling your cat. Tuna, sardines, chicken, freeze-dried liver, or commercial meat tube pastes make tasty rewards.

Dietary Supplements

Discuss products containing fish oil, antioxidants, vitamins, and trace minerals with your veterinarian. These support joint, skin, coat, immune, and brain health.

Monitor outdoor cats closely for appetite changes signaling illness or pain needing prompt vet diagnosis. Provide appetizing foods in amounts matching activity levels.

Grooming an Outdoor Cat

Outdoor cats need diligent grooming to stay comfortable and minimize diseases:

Brushing

Brush frequently, ideally daily, to control shedding and distribute natural oils. Use a slicker brush first to detangle and remove loose fur. Follow with a bristle brush to polish the coat.

Bathing

Give occasional baths if your cat gets exceptionally dirty. Use a gentle cat shampoo. Dry thoroughly to avoid chill. Over-bathing damages skin and removes oils.

Matt Removal

Carefully cut out severely matted clumps that do not readily brush out. Never forcefully yank on mats. Apply cornstarch to help loosen knots first.

Ear Cleaning

Inspect ears weekly. Gently wipe outer ear only with cotton balls soaked in ear wash solution recommended by your veterinarian. Never use cotton swabs inside ears.

Nail Trimming

Clip nails every 2-3 weeks before they get too long. Use cat-safe clippers. Just nip sharp tips, avoiding the pink quick inside. Introduce handling paws young to build compliance.

Dental Care

Brush teeth weekly using a soft finger brush and cat toothpaste. Offer dental treats or fresh raw meaty bones to chew. Schedule annual cleanings at your veterinarian.

Keep your outdoor cat well-groomed to allow free movement and minimize pest-borne diseases. Seek help from a professional groomer if you have difficulty trimming nails or brushing out mats yourself.

Safety Training for Outdoor Access

Before allowing outdoor freedom, teach your cat basic safety skills:

Set Mealtimes

Feeding your cat at set times indoors trains them to come when called for meals. Shake treats or use other favorite food sounds like can opening to summon them.

Come When Called

Use a special whistle or noise maker when feeding to get your cat’s attention. Practice calling your cat consistently with this sound before letting them roam freely. Reward with treats.

Walk on Leash and Harness

Gradually condition your cat to accept wearing a leash and harness indoors first. Then proceed to short supervised walks outside near your home before full roaming.

Use Diffuser Products

Try synthetic feline facial pheromone sprays to help your cat recognize your home as safe and comfortable. These may deter roaming or fighting.

Meet Neighborhood Dogs

If possible, introduce your cat to nearby dogs through a barrier like a gate or window first. Monitor all interactions closely.

With training, your cat can become a good outdoor citizen. Proper socialization makes unfamiliar experiences less frightening.

Bringing an Indoor Cat Outdoors

For indoor cats, approach outdoor access gradually:

Get Vet Approval

Discuss your plans with your veterinarian first. Run any needed medical tests to ensure your cat is healthy enough for outdoor activities. Update all vaccines and parasite control as well.

Buy Gear

Obtain all needed supplies like ID tags, leash and harness, enclosed cat patio, etc. Install any home modifications like cat flaps in advance. Stock first aid kit.

Start Indoors

Let your formerly indoor-only cat view the outdoors from a window perch first. Offer cat grass and catnip to whet their appetite for outdoor flavors.

Explore Enclosures

Accompany your cat outdoors in a secure cat enclosure or while wearing a harness and leash. Get them accustomed to sights, sounds, and smells.

Schedule Supervised Time

Once your cat seems eager for more freedom, allow short supervised time in your yard while you work outside also. Bring treats and toys to make it fun.

Increase Freedom Slowly

After a period of successful supervised time outdoors, let your cat venture out unaccompanied in short bursts. Call them back frequently at first, then extend roaming time progressively based on their behavior. Bring them inside at night.

Make all introductions to the outdoors positive to avoid frightening your indoor cat. Increase freedom slowly as you monitor adjustments. Not all indoor cats readily acclimate to outdoor access.

Discouraging Roaming and Fighting

To discourage your outdoor cat from roaming too far or fighting, try these tactics:

Neuter or Spay

Sterilizing your cat reduces territorial behaviors and mating drives that spark roaming and aggression. Altered cats tend to be better outdoor citizens.

Remove Attractions

Eliminate food sources drawing other animals near homes, like open garbage cans. Use neutralizing sprays to remove urine markings from fences. Don’t leave pet food outdoors.

Stay In Sight

Only allow young kittens outside under direct supervision to prevent them from wandering off and getting lost. They do not yet have full survival skills.

Distract With Toys

When your cat seems preoccupied with something making them agitated, redirect their focus onto a toy or game like chasing a laser pointer. Break fixation.

Avoid Overcrowding

Do not allow too many outdoor cats in one area. This breeds tension and competition. Space feeding stations far apart. Provide each cat their own resources.

Consider Catios

Building enclosed but stimulating cat patios keeps your cat safe while still allowing outdoor access. These remove risks from roaming freely.

Controlling exposures can prevent undesirable behaviors in outdoor cats. Proper early socialization helps cats feel comfortable in their environments.

Common Illnesses and Injuries in Outdoor Cats

While most cats enjoy healthy outdoor time, be watchful for these common issues:

Wounds and Lacerations

Cats can suffer bites from other animals or cuts from fences, machinery, glass etc. Look for limping, bleeding, swelling, or abnormal licking. Clean wounds daily. Seek immediate help for deep cuts.

Abscesses

Wound infections form encapsulated pockets of pus under the skin. Watch for painful swelling that is hot to the touch. Treat promptly with antibiotics and warm compresses. Surgery may drain large abscesses.

Flea Allergy Dermatitis

Itchy allergic reactions to flea bites cause excessive licking, scratching, and over-grooming. Use preventatives year-round. Control infestations with veterinarian-approved products.

Upper Respiratory Infection

Common cat viruses cause sneezing, runny eyes and nose, congestion, and poor appetite. Support rest and nutrition. Seek veterinary care if severe or chronic.

Urinary Tract Infections

Inappropriate urination, blood in urine, and frequent small voids signal infection. Untreated, crystals can form causing dangerous blockage. Follow vet treatment plans. Provide ample water.

Ticks and Lyme Disease

Ticks transmit various debilitating diseases. Inspect your cat thoroughly after time outside. Promptly remove any found embedded on skin. Ask your veterinarian to test for tick-borne illnesses at earliest signs of fever, lameness, or malaise.

Stay alert to changes in your cat’s health indicating illness or injury. Call your veterinarian promptly about any concerning symptoms. Proper preventives and early treatment help keep your outdoor cat well.

Finding a Lost Outdoor Cat

If your outdoor cat goes missing, don’t lose hope. Take immediate steps to locate them:

Alert neighbors and enlist their help looking. Provide your contact information and ask them to notify you at any cat sighting.
Visit local animal control and shelters in person daily if possible. Leave your information. Check lost pet databases regularly.
Post colorful, eye-catching fliers with your cat’s photo and your contact details in the neighborhood. Hanging doorknob flyers may yield calls. Offer a reward.
Walk or drive slowly in the area several times a day calling for your cat. Listen for bells or tags. Scan with a flashlight after dark. Cats sometimes respond to owner’s voices.
Leave used unlaundered clothing or your cat’s bedding outside so they recognize familiar scents. Visit at various times of day as cats can roam.
Set humane baited traps in your yard if you suspect your cat is returning to eat but remaining skittish about approaching. Alert neighbors to avoid unintended captures.

Stay proactive yet patient in your search. Monitor feeding time routines for changes suggesting your cat is returning intermittently. Reward persistence and don’t lose hope!

Providing Proper Cat Identification

All outdoor cats need visible identification. Options include:

Collars

Ensure collar fits snugly enough to not slip off but with room for two fingers between neck and collar. Use breakaway safety designs just in case.

Microchips

Veterinarians inject identity microchips under the skin. These provide permanent identification if your cat ends up unresponsive at an emergency clinic. Keep registration updated.

Ear Tip

clipping indicates a neutered and vaccinated feral cat. However, further visible ID is still